We enjoyed worship, sermon and then communion in our church service. The sermon was the last of pastor’s Celebrate series to direct us into the new year. We often start a new year with resolutions or setting goals. It is a time for moving on.
Once the celebration is over, then we move to clean up. Sooner or later we need to get back to it; back to normal. This is particularly pertinent to our community as we still work on hurricane recovery.
First Assembly, our church, still has a job to do. We are either advancing the Kingdom or not. We can't afford to b have the church take a time out. The church must move forward.
The angel appeared to Joseph in Egypt to send him back to Israel. Matthew 2:19.
Years later, John the Baptist proclaiming your Savior is near. Matthew 3:1-2.
Jesus continued to preach the message of salvation and commissioned the disciples to take the message to the world. Matthew 28:16-20.
Time is limited. Now is time to turn from the world and turn to God. The church must continue to share the message.
The church that is ineffective is not worthy to be called the church.
Jesus recruited disciples. They started by following Him.
Pastor referred to the book: Greater: Dream bigger. Start smaller. Ignite God's Vision for Your Life by Steven Furtick.
We get stuck for two reasons. (1) We don't dream big enough.
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to accomplish more than we can think.
Do we believe that God is ABLE?
(2) We don't start small enough.
Point: We must begin to move again by dreaming big and taking one small step, and then another.
Three armies came together to face their enemies in 2nd Kings. But they didn’t have enough resources for their own armies; they were burdened by thirst. While seeking water so the armies could move forward, they called on Elisha because ‘he heard from the Lord’. Elisha sought musician, listened to God who directed the valley to be full of ditches. 2 Kings 3:14-18. Pastor’s interpretation was that the armies had to go dig the ditches before they even saw evidence of the water. This was taking the first step in accordance with God’s word. Having shown their faith and trust in God, then God was faithful and supplied the water and the victory.
The people had to move; had to act first; had to dig the ditches.
We have to move, to do something; to dig a ditch.
Take a step of faith, figure out what ditch you need to dig. Pray, listen, grow your faith. Draw closer to Him.
What is God's dream for you, for the church? The world needs us.
I add this thought based on my short pray study this week: PRAY: Praise, Repent, Ask (with assurance) and Yield to God’s Will. Ask and God will answer.
Nothing is Impossible for God!
Verses for Today:2 Kings 3:14-18 (NKJV)
14 And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. 15 But now bring me a musician.”
Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ 17 For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.
I believe my GOD is able. I pray that He shows me what ditch to dig as I start a new year focused on His Word and His message.
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